President-Elect Del VandeKerk filled in for President Chuck today, reminding us that Smokey the Bear has his own zip code should we wish to communicate with him: Washington, DC 20252. Also, it is Arlie Norman's birthday, shared with Reba McEntire and Edmund Muskie.
Announcements:
The LaConner Rotary Club is here to sell tulips. Two members of the club were introduced and explained that this is their 22nd year for their annual fundraiser. We were given a heads up that the tulip fields are nearly in full bloom.
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is scheduled for this Friday, April 1. Those who have signed up will receive a message this week regarding what to bring and where to appear for dinner. There is still room for a few attendees; if interested, contact Nate Twining or Catherine Riordan.
The Membership & Classification Committee is meeting following our meeting, headed by Fred Kaiser.
Major Project proposals are due by the end of this week.
President-Elect Del is putting together committees for next year; please let him know your preferences.
Guest of Rotarians:
Teri Treat introduced our Speaker, Tyler Michel, Executive Director of Rebound of Whatcom County
Students of the Month - Community Service
Dale Kinsley introduced Bellingham High School student Rachel Cornwell and her parents Lisa and Brad Cornwell. Her father is the member of the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club.
John Stewart introduced Sehome High School student Elisa Brackenhofer, her Mother Lisa Brackenhofer and Friend, Jace Rinker
Tom Grinstad introduced Squalicum High School student Claire Jackson and her Mother Janet Jackson.
Presentations:
Cathy Buckley shared that this is a special day when we recognize Students of the Month for Community Service.
Dale Kinsley lauded Rachel Cornwell from Bellingham High School. Rachel is a fabulous student academically and is her class valedictorian. She is also in Show Stoppers and is an involved athlete. Her community service is varied, clocking 400 hours of service. She is President of the Volunteer Club, has taken three trips to Honduras, is a volunteer with Arc of Whatcom County, the Food Bank, and is a tutor. Rachel aspires to be an Environmental Engineer, attending college either in Boulder or University of Washington.
Elisa Brackenhofer, representing Sehome High School, was introduced by John Stewart. Elisa has been very involved in programs at school to help educate students about safety. This includes overseeing a Mock DUI car crash on campus, a Black Light Dance, and implementing a Safe Spot at a football game. Along with these activities, Elisa is Editor-in-Chief of Sehome's school newspaper. She is one of two students on the Superintendent's Advisory Committee as well. Elisa plans to attend Whatcom Community College and then transfer to WWU.
Squalicum High School was represented by Claire Jackson and introduced by Tom Grinstad. Claire has many academic achievements, including nearly every AP class possible. She is headed to Montana State, and is interested in working towards a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Claire is a leader in her school's Rotaract Club, with a focus on introducing students to the importance of community service. She has been a Park & Rec volunteer and is involved in the YMCA Girls on the Run program, among many other achievements.
Congratulations to all these students, as well as to their parents who support them in their many endeavors.
Program:
Tyler Michel, Executive Director of Rebound of Whatcom County, was introduced by Yvonne Cartwright.
Rebound is a program for kids and families trying to recover and rebuild after devastating trauma. From its website: "Often trauma-background families are the most susceptible to continue cycles of abuse, neglect and/or poverty, unless there is some type of intervention. We walk alongside kids and families on the road to health and restoration." The program aims to connect kids and families to a healthy community and necessary resources; to empower family members with the tools and skills they need to experience positive change; and, to restore kids and families to health and well-being.
Tyler pointed out that recent studies indicate stress actually changes neurological functioning in children. A majority of the children Rebound serves have disabling neurological struggles and require special services in their schools. Rebound serves some five hundred people annually, seventy-five percent of them are kids and one-third of those children are in foster care.
Rebound provides three major programs. Rebound Roots is for support of the whole family and includes parenting enrichment programs and child/youth support groups. Roots meets every Thursday evening, including a meal, and is staffed in part with WWU students. Deep Roots is a middle school mentorship program meeting every Tuesday night during the school year. The program is an academic and social skills support group, including career and interest exploration, as well as an opportunity for community service. And finally, Ray of Hope is a six-week summer day camp for ages 5-12. Children who attend this camp typically cannot participate in traditional summer camps because of behavior issues. The camp meets from 9-3 each day. Tyler described the camp as an opportunity for "safety in the midst of chaotic situations".
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